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Hands-On Science
Reading about science is boring, doing science is fun!
Reading about science is boring, doing science is fun!
My name is Lisa Hindmarsh, a proud science nerd, and I love sharing my excitement about science with my students!
My lifelong love of science that started with collecting rocks and shells as a child turned into a career in the sciences in the biotechnology industry and teaching. While earning a B.S. in Microbiology at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, I interned in a cell culture research lab at a large biotechnology company (Amgen) in southern California, and later helped develop and teach (students and professors!) the first cell culture class at Cal Poly. After graduation, I started working for a large biotechnology company (Genentech) in northern California and spent a couple of years in a laboratory testing potential pharmaceuticals on cell cultures and many years in documentation/management. Fourteen years later, I became a stay-at-home mom. In 2010, I decided to homeschool my youngest child and we homeschooled for grades 3-5. After she went back to public school in 2013, I really missed re-learning everything I forgot from elementary school and the teaching that went along with homeschooling. I talked with many homeschool moms who didn't love teaching science labs and I decided to offer hands-on science classes to homeschoolers in 2013. I've gone from teaching 4 students in my home to over 200 students a week. I absolutely love sharing my love of science with all my incredibly enthusiast students!
My goal is to make science as interesting and fun as possible. My focus is having students do science activities like extracting strawberry DNA, dissecting flowers, and creating food models to demonstrate plate tectonics and the rock cycle instead of hearing a lecture or reading a book. Students will also learn how to properly use various pieces of scientific equipment like a microscope, beakers and graduated cylinders, a triple beam balance, and the metric side of the ruler (so much easier than fractions!). They will also learn proper lab techniques and safety procedures. Your student will bring something home from each class, either a model or worksheet, to share with your supervising teacher.
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Here's what parents and students have to say about my classes:
"My son had SO much fun and can't wait for the next class. He's set a countdown on my phone to count how many days until this class. He was so excited and animated when explaining what he learned in class during the cow eye and crayfish." Stacey C., mother of 6th grade student who attended a cow eye/crayfish dissection class.
"I wanted to tell you how much fun my son had in class today! He came home and told me all about DNA and went into our kitchen getting into all of the fruits creating more DNA. I appreciate everything that you do for the kids. You make science fun! Cierra B., mother of 5th grade student
"In college, I majored in science and I really love and appreciate all the labs that you are doing with the kids. I can tell that there is a lot of thought, planning and work that go behind every lab. The plant lab that you did with Teon last week was amazing, but so was the lab before when you did the photosynthesis lab and talked about the different pigments that leaves have. I don't know what the high school requirements are, but so far every lab has been great. I also want to add that I really value all the handouts that go with every lab and the vocabulary that you incorporate in them. All the labs are very hands on, and they are also very visual. Not only do the kids learn new words, but they understand how the vocabulary fits in with every lesson. The shoe box cell model is an example of how the kids were exposed to a lot of new concepts and terminology, but because it was hands on, it seemed so simple. As a parent, I really do appreciate all the time and effort that you put in preparing for each lab, and I hope that you will continue to teach science labs for our home school community." Anamaria F. parent to 6th and 8th grade students
"My daughter, who is not a science kid, loves your class. She says the labs are really great and help her understand the material. Thank you so much for making this a great class for her." - Anca G. - mother of student in high school biology class
"Lisa is awesome. My kids LOVE her classes!" - Bre M. - parent of 3 students
"My daughter absolutely loved your class on flight! She showed me the airfoil and folded paper activities. She explained and demonstrated. Then she said, "I've watched the videos on flight and I didn't understand but when Ms. Hindmarsh explains it I do. Ms. Hindmarsh can take something complicated and she makes it easy to understand!" Once again, love your class to pieces! Thanks again for your hard work and enthusiasm. Because of you, science is her favorite class.:)" - parent of a 5th grade student
"All of my boys reported how much fun they had in your class and Benjamin said Chemistry is now his favorite subject. Thanks for inspiring them in science." Natasha O.- parent of 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students
"Lisa is AWESOME!!!! I had the opportunity to take classes with someone of her professionalism and caliber growing up. Patient, too! Fortunate to have her to teach Biology for Daniel. Glad I am getting an expert in the sciences teaching him." Adela M. - parent of 10th grade student
"Lisa makes science fun. My daughter loves her classes." Wynne P. - parent of a 5th grade student
"My children would love to still attend class! They are loving this class!!" Mandie D.- parent of 4th, 5th, 7th, and 8th grade students
"My girls, Katherine & Jenessa, LOVE your class. Thanks for being an inspirational teacher! They are learning a lot." Jen C. - parent of 7th and 8th grade students
"I just wanted to say Thank You for the awesome science class! My daughter is enjoying science for the first time. Your projects are fun and educational. You are doing a great job!! " Keri M. - parent of 7th grade student
"Just wanted to tell you how much my son is enjoying your science class. It's such a blessing to have you as a resource. Thank you so much and thanks for the video suggestions to add to the content." Alicia S. - parent of 4th grade student
“My son is always excited to go to science class. The class is hands-on with a multi-sensory approach to learning. The classes are very well thought out and thorough.” Carolyn B.-parent of 5th grade student
“Lisa's passion, enthusiasm, and love for both science and children was a blessing to my son. My son, who loved science already, was even further inspired by Lisa’s weekly lessons that, at this stage anyways, he wants to be a surgeon. Lisa’s lessons are hands-on, fun, very practical, age-appropriate, and affordable.” Laurie P.-parent of 5th grade student.
Wondering what parents think about this online chemistry class (Fall 2020)?
"OMG, my son loved the class!! He came running and said, "that was awesome!!" He showed us the food coloring thing and explained how atoms move...love it!! Thank you. A much needed excitement about learning. - Michelle N - parent of 5th grader
"I can't tell you how thrilled I am that our girls are taking your course!! They are learning so much and are really enjoying it. Thank you so much!!" - Mattea W. - parent of 4th and 6th graders
FB post: I have not seen my child THIS involved. Thanks to Hands-On Science. Lisa Hindmarsh is an excellent teacher. Students stay engaged because there is lots of hands on activity. He finished class and said want to know something amazing? That is a big win. Thank you Lisa. - Shankari A. - parent of 4th grader
"My son is now excited to take astronomy! You really have gotten him excited about science! - Katie C. - parent of 5th grader
"My daughter has been loving the chemistry class and we'd like to register for more of your upcoming classes. We never got to do an in person class with you, but I've been really impressed with how well you've adapted these classes for zoom. The time and effort you've spent really show! - Alex L., parent of 4th grader.
"Thank you very much for teaching such a thorough and fun chemistry class. My daughter loved it! I appreciate all the work that you put into it!" - Karen H., parent of 5th grader"
"My son had SO much fun and can't wait for the next class. He's set a countdown on my phone to count how many days until this class. He was so excited and animated when explaining what he learned in class during the cow eye and crayfish." Stacey C., mother of 6th grade student who attended a cow eye/crayfish dissection class.
"I wanted to tell you how much fun my son had in class today! He came home and told me all about DNA and went into our kitchen getting into all of the fruits creating more DNA. I appreciate everything that you do for the kids. You make science fun! Cierra B., mother of 5th grade student
"In college, I majored in science and I really love and appreciate all the labs that you are doing with the kids. I can tell that there is a lot of thought, planning and work that go behind every lab. The plant lab that you did with Teon last week was amazing, but so was the lab before when you did the photosynthesis lab and talked about the different pigments that leaves have. I don't know what the high school requirements are, but so far every lab has been great. I also want to add that I really value all the handouts that go with every lab and the vocabulary that you incorporate in them. All the labs are very hands on, and they are also very visual. Not only do the kids learn new words, but they understand how the vocabulary fits in with every lesson. The shoe box cell model is an example of how the kids were exposed to a lot of new concepts and terminology, but because it was hands on, it seemed so simple. As a parent, I really do appreciate all the time and effort that you put in preparing for each lab, and I hope that you will continue to teach science labs for our home school community." Anamaria F. parent to 6th and 8th grade students
"My daughter, who is not a science kid, loves your class. She says the labs are really great and help her understand the material. Thank you so much for making this a great class for her." - Anca G. - mother of student in high school biology class
"Lisa is awesome. My kids LOVE her classes!" - Bre M. - parent of 3 students
"My daughter absolutely loved your class on flight! She showed me the airfoil and folded paper activities. She explained and demonstrated. Then she said, "I've watched the videos on flight and I didn't understand but when Ms. Hindmarsh explains it I do. Ms. Hindmarsh can take something complicated and she makes it easy to understand!" Once again, love your class to pieces! Thanks again for your hard work and enthusiasm. Because of you, science is her favorite class.:)" - parent of a 5th grade student
"All of my boys reported how much fun they had in your class and Benjamin said Chemistry is now his favorite subject. Thanks for inspiring them in science." Natasha O.- parent of 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students
"Lisa is AWESOME!!!! I had the opportunity to take classes with someone of her professionalism and caliber growing up. Patient, too! Fortunate to have her to teach Biology for Daniel. Glad I am getting an expert in the sciences teaching him." Adela M. - parent of 10th grade student
"Lisa makes science fun. My daughter loves her classes." Wynne P. - parent of a 5th grade student
"My children would love to still attend class! They are loving this class!!" Mandie D.- parent of 4th, 5th, 7th, and 8th grade students
"My girls, Katherine & Jenessa, LOVE your class. Thanks for being an inspirational teacher! They are learning a lot." Jen C. - parent of 7th and 8th grade students
"I just wanted to say Thank You for the awesome science class! My daughter is enjoying science for the first time. Your projects are fun and educational. You are doing a great job!! " Keri M. - parent of 7th grade student
"Just wanted to tell you how much my son is enjoying your science class. It's such a blessing to have you as a resource. Thank you so much and thanks for the video suggestions to add to the content." Alicia S. - parent of 4th grade student
“My son is always excited to go to science class. The class is hands-on with a multi-sensory approach to learning. The classes are very well thought out and thorough.” Carolyn B.-parent of 5th grade student
“Lisa's passion, enthusiasm, and love for both science and children was a blessing to my son. My son, who loved science already, was even further inspired by Lisa’s weekly lessons that, at this stage anyways, he wants to be a surgeon. Lisa’s lessons are hands-on, fun, very practical, age-appropriate, and affordable.” Laurie P.-parent of 5th grade student.
Wondering what parents think about this online chemistry class (Fall 2020)?
"OMG, my son loved the class!! He came running and said, "that was awesome!!" He showed us the food coloring thing and explained how atoms move...love it!! Thank you. A much needed excitement about learning. - Michelle N - parent of 5th grader
"I can't tell you how thrilled I am that our girls are taking your course!! They are learning so much and are really enjoying it. Thank you so much!!" - Mattea W. - parent of 4th and 6th graders
FB post: I have not seen my child THIS involved. Thanks to Hands-On Science. Lisa Hindmarsh is an excellent teacher. Students stay engaged because there is lots of hands on activity. He finished class and said want to know something amazing? That is a big win. Thank you Lisa. - Shankari A. - parent of 4th grader
"My son is now excited to take astronomy! You really have gotten him excited about science! - Katie C. - parent of 5th grader
"My daughter has been loving the chemistry class and we'd like to register for more of your upcoming classes. We never got to do an in person class with you, but I've been really impressed with how well you've adapted these classes for zoom. The time and effort you've spent really show! - Alex L., parent of 4th grader.
"Thank you very much for teaching such a thorough and fun chemistry class. My daughter loved it! I appreciate all the work that you put into it!" - Karen H., parent of 5th grader"
